1861
DESPITE THE BRAVERY AND ENDURANCE OF THE TEXANS IN HIS “ARMY OF New Mexico,” General Henry Hopkins Sibley’s invasion of the Southwest was an unmitigated disaster in nearly every respect. In an attempt to reach the gold fields of Colorado—and perhaps later on even California—he was thwarted at every step. A pyrrhic victory at Valverde and a defeat at Glorieta Pass forced Sibley to retreat back to his starting point. Confederate hopes for new territories in the West were dashed forever.
Sibley’s army was composed of four regiments of Texas mounted rifles and a few other units. The most colorful was the 5th Texas (also known as the 2nd Regiment of the Sibley Brigade), of which Companies B and G were armed with lances with red pennants manufactured especially for them. Company B, commanded by Captain Willis L. Lang, is recorded as having “received of Capt Arthur Shaaft C.S.A. Ordnance of Sibley’s Brigade the following articles of Ordnance and Ordnance stores, viz., 66 Lances invoiced at $7.00 pr lance.”56 Several more were received at other dates as well as Colt’s Navy pistols. The armament of the brigade in general consisted of a bewildering hodgepodge of firearms, including shotguns brought from home and United States weaponry taken at Federal forts and arsenals in the Southwest. While the lancers seem to have been issued only lances and revolvers, the rest of the regiment received on October 29, 1861:
182 Cavalry Musketoons (U.S. m1847 most likely)
10 Rifle Carbines (U.S. m 1855 most likely)
36 Cavalry Sabers (for the officers)
36 Cavalry Belts and Plates
194 Carbine Slings and swivels
30 Mississippi Rifles
2 Sharps [rifles or carbines]
3 Minnie Muskets57
Clothing consisted of uniforms issued to the brigade at the start of the campaign and captured Federal clothing and civilian attire. Officers of the whole brigade received captured Federal sabers, belts, and dragoon saddles (most likely Grimsley enlisted men’s saddles). Winter clothing was in critically short supply during bitter cold campaign; a contemporary account mentions stripping dead Federals at of their overcoats. The situation did not improve, and after the destruction of their supply wagon train near Glorieta Pass, the expedition was finished.
During the battle of Valverde, the two lancer companies, at Captain Lang’s insistence, were allowed to attack the Federal infantry. Company B was in the lead, with G following. Expecting the Union Colorado volunteers to collapse under the impressive sight of a lance-armed cavalry attack, the unsupported lancers galloped forward. However, the Union volunteers under Captain Dodd proved unflinching and stood firmly. Despite displaying incredible bravery, the Texans were mowed down. Nearly every horse was shot, and at least half the men were killed or wounded, including Lang. Company G turned back after seeing the catastrophe that befell Company B. It was the only lancer charge of the entire Civil War.
White buff leather belt and interlocking cast brass “CS” belt buckle brought home as a souvenir by Sergeant Benjamin Hirst of Company D, 14th Connecticut Volunteers, possibly from the battlefield of Antietam. NEW ENGLAND CIVIL WAR MUSEUM, ROCKVILLE, CONNECTICUT
This wooden Confederate drum is patriotically decorated with a first national flag painted on the front. A little lower than most, it was probably cut down to accommodate a shorter user. Only a few examples of Confederate painted drums have survived the war. MICHAEL D. KRAMER COLLECTION
